31!

BRIANNA

As our car passed through the streets on the way to the palace, multiple people gathered around the car to throw flowers at us. I felt so loved and honored.

“It seems the people heard of the good deeds you did in Duke Mikeal's dukedom,” Liam said to me and I smiled.

“News travel fast around here,” I said to him, smiling, “besides, I just did what any sane doctor will do,”

He drew me closer by the waist, lifted my chin up and kissed me.

I ran my fingers through his hair, his tongue met with mine, deepening the kiss.

“This is harder than I thought,” he said, breaking off the kiss.

“Not being able to touch you, kiss you. While you are very close to me. It will be hell,” his hands caressed my face.

“I could just go back to my park, there is a lot to do there anywhere,” I said to him.

“No, this has to be seen to be walking,” he said to me, staring right into my eyes.

“This could be dangerous, Liam,” I said to him, holding his hands, “I can back away from the betrothal, Margaret can come in…”

“Shhhh,” he placed his fingers on my lips, “no, I want you close to me. This is the only way we defeat him,” I nodded my head. He kissed me again as the car stopped in the palace.

“Remember what we talked about. The way we must act towards each other?” He asked me.

“I understand. I can take you,” I said, getting out of the car.

“Think you can?” I heard his voice in my mind and placed a frown on my face.

The crowd in the palace was even larger than the trail from outside the palace.

A red carpet was placed before me, Liam walked beside me and held his hands out.

I placed my hands in his as we walked towards the King who stood by the edge of the stairs.

“Welcome, I trust you enjoyed your trip,” he said to me.

“Duchess Mikeal was the most gracious host,” I said, bowing slightly.

“Of course, she would be. She learnt from my wife,” he said and I noticed Liam go stiff.

“If you will excuse us, I have some important discussion with my son,” he said to me.

“I wanted us to have some lunch together,” I said to the King, his expression changed immediately and there was a cloud of darkness.

“That will have to be later,” Liam said to me.

“Of course,” I smiled, bowed to the king and walked away.

I walked straight to my chambers with a lot of the servants avoiding me because of the look on my face. A look I have to put on to continue the charade we are giving to the King.

“That was one weather storm about to happen,” Layla said as we got inside of my chamber.

“Guess, I still haven't learnt what not to say to the king,” I smirked at her.

“What are you doing?” I asked Trish who placed a candle on, she said a few words and stared at me.

“What gives, Bri?” She asked and I looked at her confused.

“I don't understand,” I said to her.

“You can stop the charade now, this whole place is protected. No one can hear us. What is going on between you and Laim?” She asked and I swallowed hard.

“Is he still giving you the cold shoulder?” Layla asked me.

“There is nothing I can do about it,” I said to her, sadly.

“Liar,” Trish called me out, “myself and Ethan saw you guys in the stream. You were both cozy enough,”

“Wait, what?!” Layla asked in shock.

“It's not what you think,” I said, trying to explain myself.

“No, what it looks like is you guys playing us for a fool,” Trish said, sounding pissed.

“My betrothal to Liam isn't real,” I said to the both of them at once. “It's all a ruse by the king to keep me close to him,” I said, breathing heavily.

“How is that possible? He made a declaration in front of people. That's final, Liam can't marry anyone else but you,” Layla said.

“He can if I'm dead,” I said and both of them sighed deeply.

“That explains his rude attitude,” Trish said and she scoffs.

“Hey, he is the future King,” I said pointing at her.

“He can kiss my ass. Why didn't he tell you before he started acting out?” She asked.

“I think the King was watching, he wanted my reaction to be real,” I said to her.

“Mine was real enough,” she said. I looked at Layla who had grown quiet.

“What are you thinking, Layla?” I asked her.

“If the King was watching you and Liam, what if he told Duke Mikeal to say those things?” She asked.

“Like fabricating lies about your mother?” I asked her.

“Yes, so only he will have answers to my questions and he will definitely want something in return, “ she said and I nodded.

“That's true but what will he want?” I asked, “he has a lot of people to do his bidding,”

“Not someone in your inner circle,” she said, walking around.

“No, Layla,” I said, suddenly, “it's too dangerous,” I cautioned her.

“I'm lost right now,” Trish said, bringing her hands forward, “what are you both talking about?” She asked.

“Layla here wants to be a spy for the King. Except she will be a double agent for us,"I said to Trish, watching Layla walk around my room.

“Layla, that is a dangerous plan,” Trish said.

“It's the only way I can get answers about my mother, you both already have answers about yours,” she said.

“Not all the answers, Layla but we will get the answers we seek but not by making deals with the devil,” I said to her.

“What if that's our only choice?” She asked, almost in tears.

“Come on, Layla,” I walked towards her, breathing heavily, “you are stronger than this,”

Trish walked towards us as well, three of us held each other, “we are stronger together,” she said and immediately the room began to shake violently.

“What's going on?!” I yelled.